This research-through-making project explores the use of innovative Textile Reinforced Concrete (TRC), a high-performance material in which carbon fibres are embedded in a cementitious matrix cast with low-clinker-content binders, such as LC3. By combining these sustainable binders with the high efficiency of the reinforcing material, TRC significantly reduces the ecological footprint of construction by minimizing material usage and lowering energy consumption. This technology enables the creation of exceptionally thin, highly durable, and thus sustainable structures.
The project aims to further investigate the structural, architectural, environmental, and social dimensions of TRC and its applications, particularly in the context of a new Multi-Purpose Space for the Department of Archtiecture & Interior Design (DAID) Kenyatta University Campus, Nairobi, Kenya in collaboration with Urko Sanchez Architects.
The space is intended to support academic, social, and experimental activities while serving as a living laboratory for sustainable and alternative construction methods. The pavilion should function not only as a usable academic space but also as a pedagogical tool, demonstrating climate-responsive design, material innovation, and adaptability over time. It should reflect DAID’s ethos of experimentation, sustainability, and contextual responsiveness.
Building on the TRC Prototype Pavilion initiated in 2019 at EPFL Fribourg, as well as prior research on Brazilian architect Lelé’s Argamassa Armada in ferrocement, we will develop structural elements for a new dismountable TRC pavilion